The Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota House and Senate have approved a $167.5 million flood package designed to rebuild washed-out roads, repair flooded businesses and damaged houses and restore damaged parks after severe floods.
The Senate approved the bill 60-7 after it passed the House on a 125-3 vote on Friday. It will go directly to Gov. Mark Dayton, who intends to sign it quickly.
Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers says disaster relief is the Legislature's job.
Flash floods wiped out roads and killed zoo animals in Duluth in June before moving downstream to communities including Moose Lake and Thomson. Floods also hit counties in the central and southeastern part of the state, and an early July windstorm damaged forests and power lines in northern Minnesota.
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